Do foreign bank cards work for payments in Istanbul shops?

A UnionPay card from RSHB works fairly often but not everywhere: it failed at Migros, but worked at a pharmacy, a local shop, and a public toilet on the embankment.

One traveler tried using their card 12 times in a single day and it never worked — not on public transport, at grocery stores, a pharmacy, cafes, or even McDonald's. Don't rely solely on a card.

Card acceptance varies: large gas stations accept cards, shops are hit-or-miss, and cafes work about half the time. Carrying cash is recommended.

Card acceptance in Istanbul is inconsistent: Migros reliably declines foreign cards, Vaikiki accepts them, and Şok works roughly half the time. Small shops and cafes vary. To avoid stress, withdraw cash in advance.

Cash pickup points in Istanbul don't operate every day and may not have funds available when you need them urgently. Don't rely on them as your primary cash source.

Physical cards work much better than QR-code payments in Istanbul. Chain stores, Istanbulkart top-ups, and public toilets generally accept cards without issues. QR payments frequently fail.